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 Boat step		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5445 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/14/2016 :  17:23:20  Show Profile
Has anybody bought or built a boat step that hangs off the gunwale or stanchions? If you have pictures please post. An important feature is that it easily detaches and folds up for stowage.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5445 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2016 :  09:22:56  Show Profile
I saw a guy's boat step on his Catalina 30. It was made of 2"x1" strips of teak that were about 30" long and screwed onto a rectangular frame that consisted of 2"x2" pieces screwed together. I didn't notice any fancy jointery on the piece.
On each corner of the frame, he drilled a 1/2" hole and rigged a 24"-30" loop of 1/2" line on each side.
He had two big carabiners, each tied onto one of the loops, which he hooked to the two stanchions either side of his entrance way through the lifelines.
He put a rubber strip on the side facing the boat to prevent scratches to his hull.
It set about 8" below the gunwales, and happened to be about 10" above the dock.
I guess the part I wondered about was how he made sure the thing was strong enough (especially the frame) to hold his guests, and how the step didn't swivel down when people stepped on it.
I guess I'll try to make one out of white pine to test the design, then get some teak to make the real thing.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2016 :  11:49:36  Show Profile
What is your objective for this step? For stepping from a low dock? From a dinghy? How would it differ from a boarding ladder? Paint us a "picture."
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now boatless for the first time since 1970 (on a Sunfish).
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4034 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2016 :  13:44:01  Show Profile
Bruce, I too am a little confused as to what it is your looking for.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5445 Posts
Response Posted - 07/19/2016 :  05:29:50  Show Profile
Whenever guests try to board Passage from a dock I will bring the boat right up to it and generally the top of the gunwales are about 12"-14" above the dock. That's a big step for most people. Often I'll put my weight on the gunwale to move that side or the boat down and offer a hand to my guests.
If I had a permanent slip I could buy a single step and attach it to the slip. The step I'm describing would instead hang off the side of the boat about 6" below the gunwales near the cockpit area (next to the job sheet winch) to allow folks a 1/2 way point for boarding.
A neighboring boat had one he built hanging off the side so when he came up to the public docks his guests did not have to climb up directly onto the gunwale to board, there was an intervening step.
It looked good but I had no idea how practical it was.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 07/19/2016 :  06:56:57  Show Profile
Like this? ...or if that sounds too cheap, there's this--le$$ at WM than at Defender. Either could give you some additional ideas.

I might extend the side rails below the step a just a little, to prevent it from tipping outward.
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now boatless for the first time since 1970 (on a Sunfish).
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4034 Posts
Response Posted - 07/19/2016 :  11:45:19  Show Profile
Wow, At $234 I think I would just tell the guests to watch you step..
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 07/19/2016 :  14:12:20  Show Profile
...or hire a guy to lift them aboard!
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now boatless for the first time since 1970 (on a Sunfish).
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 07/19/2016 :  15:29:14  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
We use one of these. If we want to take it with us, it folds down to about 1-1/2" thick or so. We used to have a smaller (lower) one, but I found this one at a local hardware store for about half of what they want for it at the link.

We use another similar one to get in and out of our hot tub.

Crap, just re-read & realized that you're looking for something that hangs from the boat so my post isn't particularly helpful.
David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor


Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --
Edited by - delliottg on 07/19/2016 15:30:04
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dalelargent
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts
Response Posted - 07/19/2016 :  23:15:08  Show Profile
No, David. I think your suggestion IS useful.

I, too, carry a folding step in my dumpster for those situations. It folds very flat and small, is quite durable, and has lasted for more than 5 years.

Why not carry one of these, tie off to the dock, and then simply deploy the step onto the dock? Pick it up before you leave. And it stows much smaller than anything you would construct.

I even used it on a dock where I was moored for 3 years. Left it in the dock permanently, tied to a cleat in case the wind got it. (Amazingly, I never found it in the water.)
1989 c25 WK/TR #5838
1998 Catalina 36 mkii
1983 Vagabond 14
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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts
Response Posted - 07/20/2016 :  09:55:56  Show Profile
Have used one of these Boarding steps for many years.
Gerry Livingston, Malletts Bay, VT
"Great Escape" 1989 C-25 SR/WK #5972
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Sailynn
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2016 :  00:12:11  Show Profile
Yep I use the folding small step (350# model) as shown to get into v-berth and dock. I installed a line from side to side on the step to drop it to the dock or retrieve it from the boat with the boat hook. I'm a well fed seasoned citizen with two artificial knees. I hang on to the shrouds to step up or down when we are not at our permanent slip where we have the pricey permanent two steps. I keep it stored folded next to the porta-potti.
Lynn Buchanan
1988 C25 SR/WK #5777
Sailynn
Nevada City, CA
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5445 Posts
Response Posted - 07/26/2016 :  05:18:14  Show Profile
Wow - lots of great suggestions (aside from the $230+ one!), and variety of solutions. I like Gerry's steps since there are two, it'll double as a boarding ladder from the water. Single step stools are good too - the fold-up kind is nice. I'll take a photo.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts
Response Posted - 07/26/2016 :  17:34:18  Show Profile
For us... from the dock, over the coaming to the seat; my wife would go to the stern and face aft so she could hang onto the stern rail as she stepped over and into the boat.
It is like the error of putting steps at a whirlpool tub... once you get up there you have a long way down... step over and in; no steps.
Alternately, as a fat sailor I nearly always boarded other people's boats at the shrouds, it is the beamy part of boat so it is always close to the dock and provides a serious vertical hand hold that works for any height person.
Frank Hopper
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Downbucket
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2016 :  18:55:27  Show Profile
Just purchased the fender2step a month ago and love it. Sturdy, doesn't scratch boat and can tie it onto lifeline while sailing.

http://www.fenderstep.com/
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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1803 Posts
Response Posted - 08/07/2016 :  07:46:57  Show Profile
Bruce: Keep is simple. I would get a one step plastic Rubbermaid "step" from Walmart or home depot and pull it out when needed, stow in the dumpster when not needed. All in should cost under $25.00 ($22.95 on Amazon)
Peter Bigelow
PO - C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 08/07/2016 :  08:59:33  Show Profile
I have one of these--sturdy, folds flat for storage, and handy in my cockpit. $17 at WM.
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now boatless for the first time since 1970 (on a Sunfish).
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 08/07/2016 :  18:49:23  Show Profile
Sounds like you want something only 6-8" tall. Build a box (top, bottom, sides) out of wood that tall and about 15" long. Apply non-skid to the top. After your guests are aboard, stow it under your tiller or in front of your companionway for a step there while under sail.
DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5445 Posts
Response Posted - 08/11/2016 :  22:10:18  Show Profile
DavidP
When I was at Brewers in Stratford on a permanent slip, I built that exact thing using 2x6s and grippy paint. I lashed it to the dock. One day after a big Nor'easter I came to the dock and the steps were gone. I always suspected foul play but couldn't prove anything.
I'd prefer a step that hangs off the gunwales or stanchions using carabiners and ropes because you can more easily stow the thing whenever you aren't at the dock. The only time I need it is during that 5-10 minutes when I bring the boat to the public docks and load the Admiral or guests who are not as sure-footed as they should be.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.